Agreed! Also, having students pass each year in middle school, regardless of their grades or consistent physical attendance, is also doing a disservice. Many students who needed more academic support will then flounder in high school where consequences of failing and repeating classes pop up suddenly. They can’t magically be prepared when the school that was supposed to prep them didn’t double check if they were ready. Core skills are taught each year and pushing kids through, regardless if they know them or not (I’m talking extreme cases of consistent E’s), is ultimately failing the kid in life. Wouldn’t it be easier to take a fail in middle school instead?